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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Illinois vs Louisiana Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,704 less state income tax a year in Louisiana than in Illinois, which is about $142 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,166 in favor of Louisiana.

Illinois: 4.95% flatLouisiana: 3% flatUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Illinois and Louisiana for your income

Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.

State comparison

Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.

1Louisiana

Lowest

20.4%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$1,864
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,271
Net income (annual)
$59,729

2Illinois

22.6%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$3,568
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,975
Net income (annual)
$58,025

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Louisiana

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,273
Monthly take-home$4,977

Illinois

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,415
Monthly take-home$4,835

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

Illinois vs Louisiana: how the two systems differ

IllinoisLouisiana
Wage income taxFlat 4.95%Flat 3%
Top rate4.95%3%
Lowest rate4.95%3%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,925 personal exemption$12,875 standard deduction

State income tax and take-home pay at every salary

The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.

IncomeIL state taxLA state taxDifferenceIL take-homeLA take-home
$30,000$1,340$514$826 less in Louisiana$24,945$25,771
$40,000$1,835$814$1,021 less in Louisiana$32,485$33,506
$50,000$2,330$1,114$1,216 less in Louisiana$40,025$41,241
$60,000$2,825$1,414$1,411 less in Louisiana$47,565$48,976
$75,000$3,568$1,864$1,704 less in Louisiana$58,025$59,729
$100,000$4,805$2,614$2,191 less in Louisiana$74,375$76,566
$150,000$7,280$4,114$3,166 less in Louisiana$106,511$109,677
$250,000$12,230$7,114$5,116 less in Louisiana$170,952$176,068

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeIL state taxLA state taxDifferenceIL take-homeLA take-home
$75,000$3,423$1,478$1,945 less in Louisiana$61,200$63,145
$100,000$4,660$2,228$2,433 less in Louisiana$80,050$82,483
$150,000$7,135$3,728$3,408 less in Louisiana$116,050$119,458
$250,000$12,085$6,728$5,358 less in Louisiana$185,383$190,741

Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.

Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Louisiana charges the same or less state income tax than Illinois for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Illinois (single filers)

4.95%Over $0

Louisiana (single filers)

3%Over $0

Full details for each state: Illinois income tax calculator and Louisiana income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Illinois vs Louisiana FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Illinois or Louisiana?+

Louisiana is lower at $75,000: $1,864 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Illinois and $4,114 in Louisiana. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Louisiana charges the same or less state income tax than Illinois for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Illinois versus Louisiana?+

A single filer keeping $74,375 a year in Illinois would keep $76,566 in Louisiana after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $2,191 a year, or $183 a month.

How do the Illinois and Louisiana income tax systems differ?+

Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate; Louisiana uses a flat 3% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Illinois vs Louisiana comparison?+

No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.

Should I move from Illinois to Louisiana to save on taxes?+

State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.

Sources

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.